Photo Essays

14 for '14: Most freakish athletes in college football

"Freakish athletes" have been around forever -- you just know there were guys who drew raves in the ancient Greek Olympics -- but they're celebrated more than ever now. An athlete who makes a "Did you see that? Can you believe that?" play will have his performance celebrated on TV, radio and the Internet.

Here, then, are some high-level athletes who have caught our eye for various reasons as CFB 24/7's "14 for '14" series continues with a look at the nation's most freakish athletes.

14 Photos Total

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John David Mercer/USA Today Sports

14. Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Particulars: 6-3, 245, juniorBuzz: Mizzou is looking to replace two starting defensive ends (Kony Ealy and Michael Sam) who were NFL draft picks, but going by sheer athleticism, Ray will be up to the task. Ray had 4.5 sacks in a reserve role last season and sealed Mizzou's win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl with a fourth-quarter TD on a fumble return. Fours are wild with Ray: He is said to run a 4.44 in the 40, has a vertical jump of 42 inches and bench-presses 430 pounds.

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AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

13. Jamil Douglas, OT, Arizona State

Particulars: 6-4, 300, seniorBuzz: He will be a third-year starter for the Sun Devils this fall, but this season he'll be at left tackle instead of guard, where he has started the past two seasons. Douglas is legendary in ASU's weight room, with a power clean of 385 pounds, a bench press of 430 and a squat of 565. He has gained 40 pounds since arriving at ASU, but his body-fat percentage is in the low teens. In addition, Douglas runs the 40 in under 5.0 seconds.

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AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

12. Devon Allen, WR, Oregon

Particulars: 6-0, 190, redshirt freshmanBuzz: Looking for a breakout candidate on Oregon's offense? Allen might be your guy. He won the 110-meter hurdles title in June at the NCAA track and field championships, recording the second-fastest time ever by an NCAA athlete. He is from Phoenix Brophy Prep and holds the Arizona state high school record in the 110 hurdles (13.52 seconds) and the 300 hurdles (36.39 seconds).

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AP Photo/G.M. Andrews

11. Jereme' Jones, WR, South Alabama

Particulars: 5-8, 167, seniorBuzz: He's a little guy who has been a solid possession receiver for the USA Jaguars the past two seasons, with 84 total receptions and 10 TD catches. He's also, pound-for-pound, the strongest guy on South Alabama's team. He squats 545 pounds, bench presses 365 pounds and hang cleans 335 pounds. He has been timed in 4.48 seconds in the 40, has a vertical jump of 37.5 inches and a broad jump of 10-foot-1. And his body fat is just 7.5 percent.

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AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

10. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Particulars: 6-5, 320, seniorBuzz: The guy is freakishly strong (just watch this) and will be one of the top three or four offensive tackles in the nation this fall. He also has been clocked in under 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash. But that's not all. He began his football career as a quarterback, starting at the position as a high school sophomore in Denison, Iowa, before moving to the line as a junior. He was a four-year letterman in baseball in high school and also competed in basketball, tennis(!) and track. That he has quick feet shouldn't be a surprise, considering he won the Iowa state shot put title and also threw the discus.

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AP Photo/Phil Sears

9. Mario Edwards, Jr., DE, Florida State

Particulars: 6-3, 294, juniorBuzz: FSU is loaded with high-level athletes -- CB Ronald Darby and RB Karlos Williams, in particular -- but this guy still stands out because of his size. He has been clocked as fast as 4.76 seconds in the 40 and he has no issues with doing standing back flips. A 300-pounder who can do a standing back flip like a cheerleader? That's impressive. Edwards also has good strength and squatted 500 pounds while in high school. His dad played cornerback at FSU and in the NFL.

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AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton

8. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Particulars: 6-1, 232, juniorBuzz: Gurley isn't necessarily an elite sprinter -- though he has been clocked as fast as 4.43 seconds in the 40 -- but he is fast for a 230-pounder. And get this: He was one of the best prep hurdlers in the nation. He ran for Team USA in Europe during the spring and summer of 2011; he advanced to the semifinals of the 110-meter hurdles at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships in France and won the 2011 World Youth Trials in the 110 hurdles with a personal-best time of 13.88 seconds in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He ran for Georgia's track team during the 2013 indoor season and turned in the seventh-fastest time in school history in the 60-meter hurdles (8.12 seconds).

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AP Photo/Patrick Woodard

7. Maurice Falls, OLB, East Carolina

Particulars: 6-3, 247, seniorBuzz: He runs the 40 in 4.47 seconds and has a vertical jump of 36 inches. In addition, he is strong, with a back squat of 645 pounds and a bench press of 425 pounds. He is expected to be a full-time starter for the first time this fall.

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AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

6. Benardrick McKinney, OLB, Mississippi State

Particulars: 6-5, 245, juniorBuzz: McKinney is from Tunica, Miss., which is home to nine casinos, and it's not a stretch to say Mississippi State hit the jackpot when it signed him in 2011. He is a high-caliber athlete who might -- might -- be the best defensive player in the SEC this fall. McKinney runs a 4.5 40, and his vertical jump has been measured at 34 inches. He started at quarterback as a high school senior and also played linebacker and even punted. In addition, he averaged a double-double in basketball as a senior, when he helped his team to a 30-3 record.

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AP Photo/John Raoux

5. Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Particulars: 6-4, 259, seniorBuzz: He stood out on a mediocre UK defense last season, finishing with seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He also stands out for other reasons. His vertical jump has been measured at 40 inches and his broad jump at 10-foot-7. And get this: UK uses the "Catapult" monitoring system and Dupree was clocked at 20.5 miles per hour in a game last season. Dupree also helped his Irwinton (Ga.) Wilkinson County High basketball team to a state title as a senior.

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AP Photo/Nick Lisi

4. Cameron Lynch, LB, Syracuse

Particulars: 5-11, 226, seniorBuzz: He lacks ideal size, but has been an important player since he first stepped on campus and will start for the second season in a row this fall. He is both strong and fast. He has been clocked at 4.7 seconds in the 40 and can squat 620 pounds, clean 374 pounds and bench press 435 pounds. He also can do 36 reps in the bench press at 225 pounds. He also can do a standing back flip, and his vertical jump has been measured at 36 inches.

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AP Photo/John Bazemore

3. Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn

Particulars: 6-1, 210, seniorBuzz: OK, he's not a finished product at quarterback because he needs improvement as a passer. But no one questions his athleticism. He has been clocked in under 4.4 seconds in the 40 and he doubled as a high school basketball star (he can jump out of the gym; just search for some of his dunks on YouTube). He played extensively at cornerback at Georgia in 2011 before moving on to a junior college after he was dismissed from school. He quarterbacked Auburn to the national title game last season, but some believe his best position at the next level is wide receiver, corner or even safety. His favorite receiver is Sammie Coates, an athletic marvel himself. Coates is a 6-2, 201-pounder who runs in the 4.3s and has a vertical jump that has been measured at a staggering 44 inches.

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AP Photo/LM Otero

2. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

Particulars: 6-3, 230, seniorBuzz: Baylor has a couple of guys who fit, including WR Antwan Goodley, OT LaQuan McGowan and DE Shawn Oakman. But we're going with the Bears' most prominent player. Petty put up big numbers as a first-time starter last season: 3,844 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, two interceptions, 11 rushing TDs. But some of his athleticism numbers are just as impressive. How about a 4.62-second clocking in the 40? What about a vertical jump of 38 inches and a broad jump of 10-foot-5.5? And he also can squat 510 pounds. Not bad for a quarterback.

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AP Photo/Garry Jones

1. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Particulars: 6-3, 208, seniorBuzz: He was Teddy Bridgewater's favorite receiver at Louisville, but will have to go without Bridgewater this fall. Parker's high-level athleticism will help him get by. He has been clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and his vertical jump has been measured at 36.5 inches and his broad jump at 10-foot-10. He can squat 455 pounds and bench press 335 pounds; he also can do 17 reps in the bench press at 225 pounds. In addition, he has a wing span of 80 inches, so when you factor in his height and his vertical jump, his "catch radius" is exceptionally large, which should make new starting QB Will Gardner smile.